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Joe Watson Legacy Fund

The Joe Watson Legacy Fund aims to improve the understanding of agriculture and provide better education for journalism and communication.

A registered charity, the fund was established in the memory of former Guild chairman and highly regarded Scottish agri-journalist Joe Watson, who died in 2014.

Grants are available to UK Guild Members who are active in food and farming journalism and communications, as well as those wishing to begin a career in it.

Applications for educational and/or professional development are especially welcomed.

The Joe Watson Legacy Fund was established with the help of the financial surplus generated from the 2014 IFAJ Congress, which was hosted by the BGAJ and held in Aberdeen.

Details on grants are shared with members when applications are opened.

Registered charity no. 1173600.

Recent news about the Joe Watson Legacy Fund

Joe Watson Legacy Fund

Go to Swiss Congress: Joe Watson Fund opens for 2024

Trustees of the Joe Watson Legacy Fund have announced that its 2024 education programme will…
British delegates who attended the 2023 Congress, pictured at the final night's Gala Dinner, l-r: Jamie Day, Jane Craigie, Mike Whittall, Mike Abram, Johann Tasker, Emma Gillbard, Simon Haley, Olivia Cooper, Adrian Bell
Joe Watson Legacy Fund

Emma Gillbard visits Canadian farms thanks to Joe Watson Legacy Fund

British delegates who attended the 2023 Congress, pictured at the final night's Gala Dinner, l-r:…
Mike and Emma on one of the Congress farm visits in Alberta, Canada
Joe Watson Legacy Fund

Why I applied to attend an IFAJ Congress in Canada

Mike Abram, right, with fellow JWLF 2023 bursary recipient Emma Gillbard. Mike Abram, a recipient…
20th April 2022 in International, Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

IFAJ Congress stipends from Joe Watson Fund

The Joe Watson Legacy Fund is offering two stipends for the IFAJ 2022 Danish Congress. “The only way you can inform your own opinions and learn, is to see the…
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11th March 2021 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Joe Watson Legacy Fund to support CPD in 2021

Guild members will have an opportunity to enrol on a CPD course of their choosing, after trustees of the Joe Watson Legacy Fund – the Guild’s ‘other’ charitable trust –…
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1st March 2020 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Joe Watson fund opens IFAJ Congress bursary applications

“The only way you can inform your own opinions and learn, is to see the world through another person’s eyes.” That’s how Mick Roberts (pictured above), the recipient of a…
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1st May 2019 in International, Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Mick Roberts selected as Joe Watson stipendiary

Guild member Mick Roberts has been selected as the beneficiary of a stipend from the Joe Watson Legacy Trust to attend this year's IFAJ Congress in the USA. Mick will join journalists from…
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18th January 2019 in International, Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Joe Watson fund offers all-inclusive stipend to IFAJ Congress

Want to go to IFAJ Congress in the USA? If you’ve never before participated in an IFAJ Congress, here’s your chance – thanks to the Joe Watson Legacy Fund. Trustees of…
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15th September 2018 in International, Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Joe Watson legacy funds visit to Croatia

Heading off on a five-day visit to Croatia in the early hours of the morning was a daunting thought, writes Joe Watson Legacy Fund award winner Lauren Dean. I had…
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3rd September 2018 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Old printer cartridges help Joe Watson Legacy Fund

The Joe Watson Legacy Fund has teamed up with Recycle4Charity to offer an easy way to recycle inkjet or toner printer cartridges and raise funds at the same time. The…
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25th June 2018 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

First Joe Watson Legacy Fund winners announced

The first grants from the Joe Watson Legacy Fund have been awarded to Farmers Guardian reporter Lauren Dean and freelance journalist Martin Rickatson. The charity – established in memory of former BGAJ chairman Joe Watson…
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22nd May 2018 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Deadline extended for applications to Joe Watson Legacy Fund

Trustees for the Joe Watson Legacy Fund say they are eager to receive applications from Guild Members in its inaugural year, announcing a deadline extension until 4 June for the…
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26th April 2018 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Joe Watson Legacy Fund open for applications

Applications are invited to the Joe Watson Legacy Fund to improve the understanding of agriculture and provide better education for journalism and communication. Submissions must be from Guild Members to…
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29th January 2018 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Joe Watson Legacy Fund to launch

The Guild is delighted to announce that the Joe Watson Legacy Fund will be inviting applications for the award of grants imminently. Established in the memory of the late Joe…
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9th September 2015 in Joe Watson Legacy Fund, News

Joe Watson Memorial Apprenticeship announced

The Press & Journal has announced the creation of the Joe Watson Memorial Apprenticeship as part of the newspaper's Apprentice 100 campaign. The opportunity to work for the paper is…
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